Teenager dead after car crashes into tree in Stanley Park

A young man died after a car crashed into a tree in Vancouver’s Stanley Park in the early hours of Friday morning, according to police.

The Vancouver Police Department says a white BMW was driving along Stanley Park Drive between Second and Third beach just after 3 a.m., when it lost control.

The driver was taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, and the passenger died at the scene.

The deceased was 18 years old, police said.

“Investigators don’t believe alcohol or drug impairment contributed to the collision,” a statement from the VPD reads.

According to the B.C. Injury Research and Prevention Unit, each day, more than 760 traffic crashes happen in the province. About 150 of those are serious or fatal.

Brian Hart from Young Drivers of Canada says some tips he gives to those driving after dark are to use high beams when needed and to reduce speed if struggling to see two to three blocks ahead.

“When drivers start driving with passengers, the risk starts to increase. If they have one passenger with them, say, 19 or under, the risk increases about three times for collision,” says Hart.

Anyone who witnessed the crash or has dash camera video is asked to call the VPD’s collision investigators at 604-717-3012.